ebu - digital radio report 2016
TRANSCRIPT
MARKET INSIGHTSDIGITAL RADIO 2016MEDIA INTELLIGENCE SERVICE FEBRUARY 2016
PUBLIC: This document is intended for public distribution
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
METHODOLOGY
HIGHLIGHTS
CONTENT AND OFFER
TECHNOLOGY
SWITCHOVER PROCESS
POLICY AND REGULATION
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
CAR INDUSTRY
MARKET STATUS
DIGITAL RADIO ROLL-OUT
LEADERS:
DENMARK
NORWAY
SWITZERLAND
UNITED KINGDOM
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
EMBRACERS:
GERMANY
MALTA
NETHERLANDS
NEWBIES:
BELGIUM FLEMISH
CZECH REPUBLIC
FRANCE
ITALY
POLAND
WAIT-AND-SEE:
AUSTRIA
BELGIUM FRENCH
HUNGARY
IRELAND
ROMANIA
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
TURKEY
FOCUS: PSM AND DIGITAL RADIO
WHAT’S NEXT?
TRENDS
THREATS
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
27
27
28
28
28
29
29
29
30
34
35
37
CONTENT
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
The Digital Radio 2016 report is the first of a yearly report that
the Media Intelligence Service of the EBU plans to publish to
support the EBU’s Digital Radio Initiative.
Built upon the experience of the Digital Radio Toolkit, which
examined the key success factors for radio digitization, the
Digital Radio report highlights the main achievements of the
previous year for digital radio, pointing out both its strengths
and the areas that require action. As a whole, it offers a
progress report of the roll-out of digital terrestrial radio in
European markets and, when relevant, other digital platforms.
By doing this, it helps EBU Members and other stakeholders to
plan their digital radio strategies and supports their advocacy
initiatives. Ultimately, it supports their efforts to bring terrestrial
digital radio to their territories, providing them with the data,
the latest developments, a selection of best practices and a
market analysis.
METHODOLOGY
This project relies on a systematic collection from different
sources, including:
• Official statistics from broadcasters, governments,
regulatory authorities and industry trade bodies, both
national and international (e.g. WorldDAB, DRM
Consortium).
• Information and analysis from the trade press and experts.
• Personal communications from industry stakeholders such
as EBU Members, regulatory authorities, network operators,
manufacturers and industry trade bodies.
For the benefit of readers, sources have not been included
systematically but are available for any EBU Member on
request.
All the insights provided have been analysed according to the
best data and information available at the moment the report
was written (January 2016). What appears in the report is a
summary of key developments.
For details of sources and additional data and explanations
please contact the Media Intelligence Service ([email protected]).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016 3
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Digital Radio Monitor 2016 is the first of a yearly report that
the Media Intelligence Service of the EBU plans to publish to
support the EBU’s Digital Radio Initiative. Built upon the
experience of the Digital Radio Toolkit, which examined the key
success factors for radio digitization, the Digital Radio Monitor
highlights the main achievements of the previous year for
digital radio. It offers a progress report of the roll-out of digital
radio in Europe, with a strong focus on broadcast radio.
By doing this, it helps EBU Members and other stakeholders to
plan their digital radio strategies and supports their advocacy
initiatives. Ultimately, it supports their efforts bring terrestrial
digital radio to their territories, providing them with the data,
the latest developments, a selection of best practices and a
market analysis.
METHODOLOGY
This project relies on a systematic collection from different
sources, including:
• Official statistics from broadcasters, governments,
regulatory authorities and industry trade bodies, both
national and international (e.g. WorldDAB, DRM
Consortium).
• Information and analysis from the trade press and experts.
• Personal communications from industry stakeholders such
as EBU Members, regulatory authorities, network
operators, manufacturers and industry trade bodies.
For the benefit of readers, sources have not been included
systematically but are available for any EBU Member on
request.
All the insights provided have been analysed according to the
best data and information available at the moment the report
was written (January 2016). What appears in the report is a
summary of key developments.
For details of sources and additional data and explanations
please contact the Media Intelligence Service ([email protected]).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio Monitor 2016 4
HIGHLIGHTS
CONTENT AND OFFER
TECHNOLOGY
SWITCHOVER PROCESS
POLICY AND REGULATION
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
CAR INDUSTRY
CONTENT AND OFFER
NETHERLANDS
REVAMP TO MAKE THE OFFER ATTRACTIVE
Public broadcaster NPO started 2016 redesigning
its station portfolio, launching new digital-only
services and shutting down two dozen web radios
with low audience figures. Less quantity and more
focus to drive listenership to DAB+.
EUROPE
DRAMATIC EXPANSION
IN REGIONAL AND LOCAL SERVICES
Netherlands launched regional services, already
expanding in Italy and Norway, while the UK
started to roll-out the expansion plan for local DAB,
also planned in France. Ultra-local services
expanded in Switzerland while tested in the UK and
Poland.
5
DENMARK
DIGITAL RADIO BREATHES NEW LIFE
INTO RADIO
In 2014 DR unveiled a new multichannel
strategy that included the move of some
flagship programmes to digital-only stations.
As a result, in 2015 DR channels and radio in
Denmark saw the first increase in radio
consumption in decades, by four minutes.
EUROPE
BOOM IN POP-UP SERVICES
Rock, country and jazz festivals in Germany
and the UK, a piano competition in Poland
and a political meeting in Denmark joined the
already traditional temporary Christmas and
summer stations. In the Czech Republic,
Rádio Retro popped up with various topics,
from World War II to the history of science.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
TECHNOLOGY EUROPE
SWITCH-OFF AM TO FUND DIGITAL
RADIO
NPO in the Netherlands, several ARD
stations and Deutschlandradio in
Germany and some BBC local services
switched their AM signal off to move
that cost into funding digital radio.
Radio France, not yet on DAB+, also
ended AM transmissions.
WORLD
WRC GUARANTEES BAND III
FOR DIGITAL RADIO
The results of the World Radiocommunication
Conference guarantee the availability of enough
spectrum in the Band III to roll-out and expand
DAB/DAB+ services. This gives certainty and
fosters investment and market development.
6
WORLD
APPLE BECOMES A RADIO
PLAYER
Apple's first venture into radio,
Beats 1, started last June. It is a free
streaming radio built on radio
personalities. Also Amazon is
investing heavily in original audio
programming for its Audible service.
EUROPE
SHARED RADIO PLAYERS EXPAND
In April German public radios joined
commercial stations in a shared radio player, at
the same time that the new joint Irish player
was launched. Austria also announced a shared
player. In the UK, the Radioplayer trials to
include online-only radio stations by current
broadcasters.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
SWITCHOVER PROCESS
EUROPE
VOLUNTARY SWITCHOVER
FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO
In September, Klassik Radio in Germany
became the first radio station to switch off
its analogue frequencies to concentrate
on digital distribution. In January 2016,
Bauer in Norway switched off the FM
signal of Radio Rock and Kiss to save
costs.
NORWAY
FM TO BE SWITCHED OFF IN 2017
It will become the first country to switch off FM
transmissions, at least nationwide. The five
criteria established were achieved in 2015 and
now everybody is watching them to see how the
process works.
7 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
POLICY AND REGULATION
SWEDEN
PUTS THE BRAKE ON DIGITAL RADIO
Despite the joint commitment of public
and commercial radio, a clear roadmap
and the commercial licences already
awarded, the Swedish government
decided to postpone the development
of a digital terrestrial radio network.
EUROPE
TWO MAJOR COUNTRIES PLAN
DIGITAL RADIO LICENSING
Regulators in France and Italy cleared the way
for digital radio in their countries, publishing the
areas to be licenced. France plans to allocate
licences during the next eight years while Italy
has already started to grant regional licences.
8 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
CZECH REPUBLIC
SHARED AMBITIONS
In March, public broadcaster Český
Rozhlas presented a plan for the transition
to digital radio as the basis for an official
roadmap, including measures for itself as
well as for commercial broadcasters. The
debate has started and collaboration is
required.
EUROPE
INDUSTRY BODIES TO BOOST DIGITAL RADIO
Last March, industry trade bodies from several
European countries announced a joint initiative
to coordinate their promotion campaigns and to
share information. A joint European logo for
digital radio, already shared in Germany, Italy
and Austria, is being studied.
9 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
EUROPE
HIGH-LEVEL REPRESENTATIVES
BACK DIGITAL RADIO
In November, the British and German
ministers of communications called for
European cooperation to foster digital
radio. In Belgium Flemish the Minister is
already a big supporter and states it
publicly. This kind of high-level messages
are especially encouraging for industry
stakeholders and as a hook for external
players to join.
NETHERLANDS
FOCUS ON PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Digital Radio NL coordinated the campaign Let’s
get digital and the Digital Radio Week, giving
away presents such as DAB+ radio sets or a car
equipped with a DAB+ radio receiver. Since April
the manufacturer Tivoli Audio organizes the
Digital Radio Tivoli Audio Tour to provide
dealers with information and demos about
DAB+.
10 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
EUROPE
FALLING PRICES FOR ENTRY-LEVEL
DIGITAL RADIO TUNERS
Increasing competition from new players and
larger economies of scale are pushing the prices
of digital radio down. In the Czech Republic they
are as low as EUR 12 while in the UK they can be
purchased from GBP 14.99.
11
GERMANY
ACCELERATION OF DIGITAL RADIO SALES
From mid-2014 to mid-2015, the total number of
radio sets with DAB+ tuners increased by 1.5
million, one million more than FM-only. Devices
with IP radio also grew more than FM, with 1.2
million new additions. This translated into an
extra million of DAB+ households and two extra
million people with access to DAB+.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
CAR INDUSTRY SWITZERLAND
ALIGNMENT OF CAR-RELATED
STAKEHOLDERS
The Swiss’ Federal Roads Office started to equip
300 motorway tunnels with DAB+, new services
such as Traffic Announcement were activated
and manufacturers increasingly include DAB+ as
standard in new cars, all of them making the case
for in-car digital radio listening.
EUROPE
MORE AND MORE CARS EQUIPPED WITH
DIGITAL RADIO AS STANDARD
In the UK, the figure grew 20 points in one
year, and 15 in Switzerland. In the
Netherlands, only two years after launch the
figure was already 15%. This also encourages
manufacturers to include digital radio in new
markets.
12 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Digital Radio Monitor 2016 is the first of a yearly report that
the Media Intelligence Service of the EBU plans to publish to
support the EBU’s Digital Radio Initiative. Built upon the
experience of the Digital Radio Toolkit, which examined the key
success factors for radio digitization, the Digital Radio Monitor
highlights the main achievements of the previous year for
digital radio. It offers a progress report of the roll-out of digital
radio in Europe, with a strong focus on broadcast radio.
By doing this, it helps EBU Members and other stakeholders to
plan their digital radio strategies and supports their advocacy
initiatives. Ultimately, it supports their efforts bring terrestrial
digital radio to their territories, providing them with the data,
the latest developments, a selection of best practices and a
market analysis.
METHODOLOGY
This project relies on a systematic collection from different
sources, including:
• Official statistics from broadcasters, governments,
regulatory authorities and industry trade bodies, both
national and international (e.g. WorldDAB, DRM
Consortium).
• Information and analysis from the trade press and experts.
• Personal communications from industry stakeholders such
as EBU Members, regulatory authorities, network
operators, manufacturers and industry trade bodies.
For the benefit of readers, sources have not been included
systematically but are available for any EBU Member on
request.
All the insights provided have been analysed according to the
best data and information available at the moment the report
was written (January 2016). What appears in the report is a
summary of key developments.
For details of sources and additional data and explanations
please contact the Media Intelligence Service ([email protected]).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio Monitor 2016 13
MARKET STATUS
14
DIGITAL RADIO ROLL-OUT
Digital leaders are those countries that are at the forefront of
the implementation of digital radio according to most of the
indicators, including extensive coverage, expanded offer of
new services and advanced legislation and regulation including
criteria and sometimes dates for the switchover.
Digital embracers include those countries where DAB+ has
been launched nationally, with exclusive services (different
from analogue broadcasting). Receivers are available in the
market, promotion campaigns are run and the penetration is
growing (at different paces).
Digital newbies are those countries that have recently
launched DAB+ services, with exclusive stations but limited
coverage (to specific cities or regions) and limited or no
commitment from some stakeholders.
Wait-and-see describes the situation of those countries where
regular digital radio services or trials are available but there is
nearly no market because of lack of receivers and, generally
speaking, lack of commitment from the different stakeholders
(this can be seen, for example, in the lack of exclusive
services).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
• The Ministry of Culture publishes a new roadmap
for digital radio, including criteria for switchover
• Led by DAB, digital radio listening is rapidly
growing at the expense of FM
• Public broadcaster DR increases its listening
figures for the first time in years thanks to its five
digital-only services
15
Launch date
2002
DENMARK
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers (2014, % of households)
98%
46%
leader
Number of stations
23
Denmark moved forward with digital radio during 2015. The top achievement
was the new roadmap for digital radio published by the Ministry of Culture,
which clarifies its roll-out. A possible date for switching off the FM band will only
be discussed once 50% of radio listening comes from digital platforms and
would take at least two years once that figure has been achieved. According to
forecasts by TNS, this could happen by 2021 at least for public broadcaster DR,
which caters for three-quarters of the total audience.
Before that, a complete switch from DAB to DAB+ is planned for 2016. It is
calculated that around 20% of the more than 1.5 million digital tuners sold
between 2005 and 2014 in Denmark are DAB-only and despite a positive
evolution the figure is still below 50% of total radio sets sold. Dealing with this
issue and increasing the penetration of digital tuners in cars, where 320 000
additional tuners were sold during the same period, are some of the main
challenges ahead. For example, only around 14% of cars are equipped with
digital radio, as availability is still limited: in 2015, eight of the top-20 selling
models were offering no option to include digital radio.
The transition from DAB to DAB+ will be accompanied by new services, such as
commercial regional stations starting in 2016 and new nationwide commercial
services following later. In the case of DR, 2015 was marked by the launch of
DAB+ transmissions for its main station P4 and its new multichannel strategy,
which has prompted the first increase in radio consumption in decades, four
minutes. The move of some flagship programmes, such as Giro 413 and
Danmarksmester, from P4 to digital-only P5 has provided an incentive for the
audience to listen to digital radio. As a result, P5 became the 4th most listened-
to radio station in 2015 (it was 9th in 2014); its market share increased from 1.9%
to 5.2% in just 12 months. The 12.1% of time spent listening to DAB/DAB+ in 2014
had already jumped to 17.1% in the first quarter of 2015. This figure, which was
twice the size of Internet radio listening, will probably increase for the whole
year when data are released.
For 2016, further extension of the digital share of the market can be expected,
consolidating Denmark as one of the leading countries in digital radio.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• Nationwide FM will be switched off during 2017
• Penetration of in-home digital radio devices is at
60%
• More than half of the audience listens to digital
radio daily
16
Launch date
1995
NORWAY
Analogue switch-off
2017
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers (Q4 2015, % of households)
99%
60%
leader
Number of stations
62
On 16 April 2015 it was announced that Norway will be the first country to close
down FM and switchover to digital radio in 2017. The process will start in
January 2017 and take place over a 11-month period, with six regions switching
off gradually. In four of these regions, public broadcaster NRK will switch off
between two and three months earlier than nationwide commercial and local
stations. After 2017, small local stations may continue to broadcast on FM for at
least five years.
To successfully achieve this objective, Norway will rely on digital radio coverage
that already exceeds FM coverage and a penetration of in-home digital radio of
60% of Norwegian households at the end of 2015. In cars, this figure is still 26%,
progressively growing as two-thirds of new cars are sold with digital tuners.
Increasing these figures significantly before the switch-off is one of the main
challenges ahead, as the 2.8 million DAB-capable devices (1.2 per household)
are still unable to compensate for the 7.4 million FM tuners affected by the
switch-off. Despite an acceleration of the sales of DAB devices has been noticed
at the end of 2015, the switchover will have to rely in all kind of digital receivers.
The main incentive for the 43% of the listeners that only listen to FM to switch
to digital radio is the increased and more varied offer, comprising 24 nationwide
stations plus 38 local services in six local areas; this means between 29 and 39
services per area. The regulator has planned to expand the local offer through
an auction of digital radio frequencies in the first quarter of 2016, with licences
valid for 14 years from 1 January 2017. On top of that, since January 2016 the
incentive for audiences to switch has been greater given that commercial group
Bauer switched off the FM signal of Radio Rock and Kiss one year before
expected, in order to save distribution and local programming costs.
At Q4 2015, 57% of the radio audience listened to digital radio daily, six points
up year-on-year. Notably, one of the highest penetration rates is among senior
citizens (64%) while young people are still behind (48%).
As the switchover date approaches, acceleration in the take-up of digital
devices and digital listening already seen at the end of 2015 can be expected,
backed by an increased communication effort by trade body Radio Norge. All
the European radio industry will be looking at the switchover process in
Norway.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• 49% of radio listening is digital, half DAB/DAB+
and half internet
• Over 60% of new cars are equipped with digital
radio
• An agreement has been reached to equip tunnels
on major roads with DAB+ coverage
17
Launch date
1999
SWITZERLAND
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers (2015, % of households)
99%
43%
leader
Number of stations
123
Switzerland is at the forefront of digital radio, with an outdoor coverage of 99%
of the population and indoor of 98% that already exceeds FM coverage, an offer
of over 60 stations depending on the area and more than two million receivers
sold up to 2015. Based on the recommendations of public, commercial and non-
profit broadcasters, the government is now expected to take a decision
regarding the switch-off date (2024 is the proposal) and the proposed roadmap
for switchover.
At regulatory level, a referendum in June backed the new Radio & TV Act, which
will allow massive support for covering up to 80% of the simulcast costs and
fund communications initiatives for the digital switchover.
This measure clarifies the roadmap for digital radio. In the French- and Italian-
speaking parts of the country, public broadcaster SRG SSR offers three digital-
only stations, a number that increases to six in the German-speaking part. Most
of the FM licensees plus some new services are already available in DAB+,
except in the Italian-speaking part, where there is no commercial multiplex yet.
On top of that, the local DAB+ islands in Geneva, Zurich and, since November
2015, Lausanne, offer low-cost access to the airwaves to community and ultra-
local stations
In Lausanne, for instance, the monthly cost per station is less than EUR 1,000.
More local islands are expected to be launched in 2016.
In autumn 2015, the study about digital listening showed that 49% of all radio
listening was digital, with DAB/DAB+ and internet equally popular. Digital radio
has already overtaken FM at home and at work, with Internet leading at home
and DAB/DAB+ at the workplace.
The figures for in-car digital radio are likely to increase gradually. By June 2015,
over 60% of new cars were equipped with digital radio and brands such as
BMW, Ford, Seat and Toyota fit DAB+ tuners as standard in all the models they
sell in Switzerland. This follows the official announcement at the end of 2014
that the Federal Roads Office would equip 300 motorway tunnels with DAB+
by 2018/19 and the availability of Traffic Announcement services in DAB+ since
April 2015.
In 2016, the increase in sales of devices and the communications effort, since
March 2015 backed by an agreement between public and commercial
broadcasters, should result in increased penetration and use of digital radio.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• Thirty million people listen to digital radio every
week
• 80% of new cars are fitted with digital radio as
standard
• A second nationwide commercial multiplex will
be launched in February 2016
18
Launch date
1995
UNITED KINGDOM
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (Oct. 2015, % of households)
Penetration of digital receivers (H2 2015, % of households)
96%
54%
leader
Number of stations
283
Thirty million people listen to digital radio each week (Q4 2015), which is 56% of
the population; only senior citizens and lower socio-economic groups are below
this average. Listening to analogue radio fell by six points in one year and stood
at just 50% by the third quarter of the year. Digital was at 41.7%, mostly thanks
to DAB (28%) that is listened to four times as much as radio over the internet
(including apps). The trend is towards a takeover of analogue by digital radio.
At this pace, this could already happen by 2016, as they have started to see in
London and with in-home listening.
This increasing consumption is based on the new stations offered by BBC and
commercial radio, including brand extensions and pop-up services. This offer
will increase from 29 February 2016 when the second national commercial
multiplex will start transmissions, including speech, music, children, Asian and
religious services, three of them in DAB+. The two leading digital stations, BBC
Radio 4 Extra and BBC Radio 6 Music, attract more than two million listeners
weekly. On the whole, national commercial radio has twice the number of
listeners in digital than in analogue, where only three services are available.
A Local DAB Expansion Plan co-funded by the BBC, commercial radios and the
government was deployed in 2015. This is where digital radio listening figures
are lower although the growing availability of the services, including new digital-
only stations, and the general growth of DAB should help to improve them
dramatically. Last July, a trial for 60 small-scale stations also started, including
DAB+ since January 2016.
80% of new cars were fitted with digital radio as standard in Q4 2015 (+7% as an
option), including 40% of commercial vehicles. By the end of 2015, one in three
people were using at least one vehicle with a digital radio most weeks. At this
point, not having digital radio is a commercial disadvantage for car brands.
Finally, the digital radio tick mark, which indicates “future ready” devices, has
introduced certainty in a declining radio-set market (-2.5 million in five years),
for which digital tuners still make up less than 50%. This trend could be partially
related to the increased use of mobile phones for radio listening beyond 25% of
the population, including more than 40% for the 15-24s.
Together with the sales, the other concern for 2016 is how cuts in BBC funding
will affect its investment in DAB although penetration and listening will continue
to grow steadily.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• Private radio Klassik Radio became the first
station to switch off its analogue frequencies to
concentrate on digital distribution
• A Digital Radio Board has been set up by the
government including all the relevant
stakeholders
• Digital tuners are widely available, totalling 30%
of all the receivers sold in 2015
19
Launch date
2011
GERMANY
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (Mid-2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers (Mid-2015, % of households)
92%
11%
embracer
Number of stations
279
Germany is steadily progressing towards digital radio. In 2015 the various
stakeholders converged on similar positions. Notably, a Digital Radio Board was
set up by the Federal Ministry of Transport & Digital Infrastructure, including
high-level representatives from the federal states, public and private
broadcasters, state media authorities and the Federal Network Agency, as well
as radio and car manufacturers. Together with several strong public statements
by the public authorities, including ministers, this signals a strong commitment
to digital radio. In addition the independent body in charge of setting the level
of funding of public broadcasters, the KEF, approved funding for the roll-out of
DAB+ for public radios, conditioned to a roadmap.
Both public and commercial broadcasters, which since April 2015 share the
same radio player, pushed DAB+ with new services. Some of these services
were switched from analogue, notably Klassik Radio, which in September
became the first radio station to switch off its analogue frequencies.
Additionally public broadcaster Deutschlandradio, which closed AM in 2015, is
considering shutting down small FM transmitters in areas well served by DAB+
from 2018. Also the remaining ARD services in AM were switched off in 2015.
Four million households had at least one DAB+ radio by mid-2015, one million
more than in mid-2014. But the total number of DAB+ radio sets was higher, 6.4
million. This is only 4.2% of the total number of radio sets though the figure is
steadily increasing. In 2015, devices with digital tuners represented 30% of the
total market for radio sets, with a 49% increase of their value year-on-year
according to GfK. Interestingly, nearly two million of digital tuners are installed
in cars. By mid-2015, every twentieth car sold was equipped with a digital radio.
10.6% of the population (7.4 million) use DAB+. Only for 1.8% it is the main type
of reception, but in households equipped with DAB+, this figure reaches 17.3%.
DAB+ is more popular among 14–39s.
As all the relevant factors are being aligned, we can only expect the process to
accelerate in 2016 given the extension of the coverage, notably indoor and in
motorways, and the expansion of the offer. Although the earliest tentative date
for the switchover in 2020 seems overly optimistic, the option of 2025 looks
much more realistic at the current expansion pace.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• The coverage of the two multiplexes reaches the
whole country
• There are six national digital-only radio services
and some foreign stations
• Receivers are widely available for less than EUR
35
20
Launch date
2008
MALTA
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
100%
n.a.
embracer
Number of stations
41
Although in 2008 Malta was the first country to roll-out DAB+ services, the little
evidence available points to a limited success.
The lack of a distinctive offer seems the main barrier for a wider adoption of
digital radio: beyond the rebroadcast of some British stations, there are only six
digital-only services provided by Maltese players competing against an already
crowded FM dial. All these services are music stations, some of them fully-
automated. On the whole, the digital-only services score very low ratings.
Three of these services belong to the two main commercial broadcasters, One
Productions (Kiss) and Eden Leisure Group (Bay Easy and Bay Retro). However,
public radio PBS has no specific digital service. Currently, there is no
collaboration among the different stakeholders for digital radio, nor has any
industry trade body being created..
One of the main discussions in Malta in the last few years has been the cost of
the fees that broadcasters pay for their digital radio licences. The holder of the
multiplex licence until 2022, DigiB, has repeatedly pointed out this issue as a
barrier for a richer offer in a market of just 200,000 listeners where digital radio
receivers are widely affordable at an entry price of less than EUR 35.
In order to avoid market stagnation, broadcasters need incentives to invest in
new services. There are many opportunities for this in the area of regulation,
including renewal and expiry of licences, cost of licences and direct subsidies.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• Coverage to reach 97% by 2016
• Public radio NPO switches off AM and revamps
its portfolio of services, strengthening DAB+
• Nearly 15% of radio devices and new cars sold
have digital radio tuners
21
Launch date
2013
NETHERLANDS
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
95%
n.a.
embracer
Number of stations
67
Netherlands is probably the most promising new digital radio market. All
stakeholders, including the government, are aligned, coverage is quickly
improving and the digital offer is substantially richer than on analogue radio. In
2015, public and commercial regional radios also launched digital services in 5
multiplexes.
This market has placed strong emphasis on public communications, launching
the “Let’s get digital” campaign by the trade body Digital Radio NL –and backed
by the Ministry of Economic Affairs– but also other individual initiatives, such as
the Digital Radio Tour by manufacturer Tivoli. As a result, awareness of digital
radio is reasonably high, which is increasing interest among retailers and growth
in sales. Digital radios peaked 15% of total radio sales in September 2015, while a
similar figure has already been reached in new cars.
An additional strength of the Dutch market is its offer of digital-only stations.
Public broadcaster NPO shut down its AM transmissions last September and
moved its Radio 5 service, targeting seniors, to digital. Since January 2016 the
broadcaster has redesigned its station portfolio, launching new digital-only
services and shutting down two dozen web radios.
Private broadcasters are also very active, mainly relying on the extension of
their analogue brands such as in the case of the two leading radios, Radio 538
and Sky Radio, with 538 NonStop and Sky Radio Hits. In both cases, the
broadcasters have additional brand extensions available in Internet.
In mid-2015, 2% of the listening time was done via DAB+, still below Internet
(15%), cable (24%) and analogue broadcasts (54%). The low figures for DAB+
must bear in mind that it was launched at the end of 2013.
Regarding licences, in August 2015 34 regional licences were awarded for a 2-
year period, prioritizing simulcast services. In spring 2017 at the latest, new
licences will be auctioned for the period 2017-2027. That’s why 2027 is
tentatively seen as a possible date for the switchover.
The exclusive offer available in digital radio, the effort in communications and
the increasing penetration of devices will likely have an impact in the actual use
of digital radio services.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• DAB+ soft launched in May 2015 with a few
simulcast services
• Full Flanders coverage expected by 2017
• Public stations from VRT to join DAB+ in 2016
22
Launch date
2015
BELGIUM FLEMISH
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled newbie
Number of stations
8
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
25%
n.a.
The Flemish community of Belgium is a very recent DAB+ market, having
launched a commercial multiplex in May 2015. Since March 2016 the multiplex
operator Norkring België will extend the coverage of its network beyond the
current area, around Brussels, with the aim of covering Flanders within a year.
Public broadcaster VRT’s commitment to digital radio was stated in its recently
approved strategy for 2016–2020. It will be shown again in spring 2016 when it
switches its eight current digital services from DAB to DAB+, currently being
tested. This will include three digital-only stations: two music brand extensions
for hits (MNM Hits) and classical music (Klara Continuo) and an all-news
channels (Nieuws+).
This will put more pressure on the two main commercial groups, Medialaan (Q-
music and Joe FM) and Corelio (Nostalgie) to join the digital radio club.
Currently this club is populated by the simulcasts of seven Flemish stations and
BBC Worldwide, which is insufficient incentive to drive substantial listenership
to DAB+.
The licences of commercial broadcasters expire in September 2016 and the
government seems committed to attaching a mandatory investment in digital
radio to licence renewal. The creation of this regulatory incentive, together with
the promise to keep the status quo of current operators by not allowing new
entrants, seems essential to foster commitment and investment by commercial
broadcasters, which at the same time is a prerequisite for generating and
marketing an attractive digital radio offer including exclusive services. This
would boost sales of digital devices currently standing around 3%.
Standard
• Three multiplex operators and public radio drive
digital radio
• Public radio Český Rozhlas has published a
detailed plan for its transition to digital radio
• Although the offer is limited, digital radio already
offers exclusive content
23
Launch date
2011
CZECH REPUBLIC
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
58%
newbie
n.a.
Although services available may change, there are around 29 radio stations in
the various areas covered by the three multiplex operators. A dozen of these
are exclusive services, half of them provided by public broadcaster Český
Rozhlas, which has a Team for Digital Audio Broadcasting in-house: ČRo Radio
Wave (youth station), ČRo D-dur (classical music), ČRo Jazz (jazz music), ČRo
Sport (sport), ČRo Rádio Junior (children) and ČRo Rádio Retro, an archive
service that in 2015 launched temporary theme channels on topics such as the
end of the World War II, the history of science and the Christmas season.
Český Rozhlas provided one of the highlights of the year in March when it
presented a detailed seven-step plan for the transition to digital radio. Among
other measures, it suggested introducing a series of market incentives to
engage current broadcasters more than they currently are, to coordinate the
transition at national level with a specific group, and to find a solid model to
fund the simulcasting period. Český Rozhlas also wants to operate its own
multiplex, for which it launched an experimental service in Prague during 2015.
Licensing is one of the key issues to be addressed. The Czech Republic is the
only country where digital radio licences in the L-Band are being used. They are
valid until 2021. At the same time, the frequencies in Band III are not yet
guaranteed by law. Current licences for commercial broadcasters are valid until
2025 and that year has been mentioned as a possible date for the switch-off of
analogue services. To reach that target, however, regulatory movements would
be needed soon.
In the positive side, there is a broad offer of receivers on this market, with an
entry price for a basic DAB+ set as low as EUR 12 during the Christmas 2015
campaign. Unofficial figures point to around 50,000 receivers already sold.
Until the main issues pointed out above are solved, a complete launch of digital
radio cannot be expected in the Czech Republic.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Number of stations
29 Standard
• The regulator CSA pushes digital radio forward
with a major digital radio licensing plan from 2016
to 2023
• More than 100 stations are available, including 64
exclusive services
• Independent broadcasters lead the roll-out of
digital radio, as the main commercial stations and
Radio France are not involved
24
Launch date
2014
FRANCE
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
19%
newbie
n.a.
Number of stations
102
In 2016, France will grant digital radio licences in six major metropolitan areas
(Lille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Nantes, Rouen and Toulouse), including local
multiplexes. They will join Paris, Marseille and Nice. This will be the first step in a
major licensing plan for digital radio announced by the regulator CSA in late
2015, and which is to be completed by 2023 reaching nearly all the French
population. Although independent and community radio stations, the driving
forces of digital radio in France, would like to see a quicker roll-out, this
extended timeline could help to involve stakeholders that are currently out of
the process, basically Radio France and the main commercial radios. In addition,
the CSA also plans new FM licences.
In 2015 public broadcaster Radio France published its strategy for 2015-2019,
more focused on web radio stations –seven have been launched over the last
year– than on DAB+, only mentioned as a way to expand the coverage of its FIP
and Mouv’ music channels. However, this could change as many stakeholders
are putting pressure on Radio France to become a driving force for DAB+. It
seems a natural place for it after its innovative experiences with immersive
audio and binaural stereo streams NouvOson and the successful playlist service
RF8.
This would be a big step forward as it is the main French radio group (22.5%
market share in 2014), which already closed its AM transmissions in 2015 and
plans to shut down longwave in 2016. However, its financial difficulties should
be solved or additional funding for digital transmission found.
The four main commercial radio groups (RTL, NRJ, RMC and Lagardère) fear
the arrival of new competitors, are against DAB+, and have not launched DAB+
services but are more focused on web radio stations. Together with Radio
France, these groups attracted around 80% of the radio ad spend in 2014 and
slightly less in audience share. The main commercial station in DAB+ is the ninth
player in the market, Skyrock, with a 3.8% market share in 2014.
Sales of devices are still low (less than 100,000 according to GfK) although the
market is still in the phase of creating awareness about digital radio. In
February 2015, 45% of people surveyed had heard of the term digital terrestrial
radio. Devices are widely available but will become present everywhere as
digital radio tuners will become mandatory once the 20% of population
coverage by digital radio services is achieved. According to the current
coverage of 19%, the licensing procedures and the time required to put the
multiplexes in place, this could happen by 2017.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• The regulator unveils a licensing plan covering all
Italy
• RAI redesigns its portfolio of digital radio stations
• A tick mark scheme ensures quality and
compatibility of devices
25
Launch date
2012
ITALY
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
68%
newbie
n.a.
Number of stations
98
Regular services in Italy started in December 2012 in the Trentino-Alto Adige
region, which is the area with the biggest offer. There are also three national
multiplexes, operated by public broadcaster RAI and by two commercial
operators, Club DAB Italia and EuroDAB Italia. All of these have extension plans,
as commercial multiplexes only cover 65% of the country, RAI 40% and some
major roads are not yet covered. In October 2015, 1.5% of the population was
listening to DAB+ at least once per week, lower than radio on TV (10%),
smartphones (9%) and computers (5%) but higher than tablets (0.6%).
These plans are shaped by the regulator AGCOM, which was busy in 2015
preparing a licensing plan for the whole country, for which it has already
launched some public tenders. This will shift the original focus from Trentino-
Alto Adige to other more populated areas. Local DAB+ services will be
extended from 12% to 42% of the country in the coming months.
Commercial broadcasters are leading the effort to provide new content with
extensions of their analogue radios. This is the strategy of the leading station in
the country, RTL 102.5, which also offers RTL 102.5 Classic, RTL 102.5 Cool and
RTL 102.5 Groove in DAB+, just to name a few.
In 2015 RAI redesigned its digital radio portfolio for both the internet and DAB+:
Rai Radio 6 Teca (archive material), Rai Radio 7 Live (current and past live
events) and Rai Radio 8 Opera. These three stations and Rai Radio 4 Light (jazz)
are not available in analogue and are part of RAI’s exclusive digital offer.
Similar to the Digital Tick Mark Scheme in the UK, the Associazione per la
Radiofonia Digitale in Italia has developed a certification protocol for receivers
to ensure quality and compatibility. The results are three different marks
depending on the features available and according to the different profiles
defined by WorldDAB. Another related institution is Digital Radio Italia, a task
force that deals with public communication campaigns.
Although some car manufacturers offer DAB as standard or as an option, sales
of digital tuners are still low. Awareness is limited among the general public and
efforts in communication must be accompanied by a reduction in the price of
devices. There is an already strong digital offer that can back these efforts: 18
simulcast and 17 exclusive services at national level plus a number of regional
services depending on the area.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Standard
• Coverage expanding as planned, with full
coverage of the country expected by 2020
• New children’s radio and pop-up stations
launched by Polskie Radio
• Regulator KRRiT pushes for digital radio with no
success among commercial broadcasters
26
Launch date
2013
POLAND
Analogue switch-off
not scheduled
Technical coverage (End 2015, % of population)
Penetration of digital receivers
56%
newbie
n.a.
Supported by the regulator KRRiT, the roll-out of digital radio in Poland relies on
the commitment of public broadcaster Polskie Radio: it operates the multiplex,
has extended the network, has created a Digital Radio Development Centre, has
secured EU funds for new digital-only services and has implemented and/or is
testing features such as slideshows, Journaline, EPG, emergency warning
systems and TPEG services. In 2015 Polskie Radio launched three new digital-
only service, including Dzieciom for children and two pop-up stations: Radio
Chopin during the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition and
Radio Gwiazdka as a Christmas holiday season radio. Regional public
broadcasters are also simulcasting their FM services in all the regions covered,
including new services and features in Wroclaw and Kraków.
The current offer of simulcast services and five theme digital-only stations
requires the collaboration of commercial broadcasters to become more
attractive to audiences. However, the three nationwide commercial radio groups
are fiercely lobbying against digital radio.
There are also 14 sub-regional and more than 200 local stations (public,
commercial and community radios) looking at digital with varying levels of
interest. A low-cost solution for small-scale services, similar to the one
implemented in Switzerland, is currently being tested in Wroclaw. This could
generate more interest from those local stations.
The lack of involvement of commercial broadcasters is the main challenge for a
successful roll-out of digital radio in Poland. Incentives need to be created for
nationwide commercial broadcasters, as they have a market share of 60.4%
(2014). The first step could be a return to the Working Group for DAB
Implementation set by the regulator and abandoned by commercial
broadcasters. This group is preparing a Green Paper on the national strategy for
digital radio.
In 2016, it is uncertain how the recently approved new media law could affect
Polskie Radio and its digital radio plans.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
Number of stations
22 Standard
27
Launch date
2015
AUSTRIA
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
wait- and-see
Launch date
1997
BELGIUM FRENCH
wait- and-see
Launch date
2009
HUNGARY
wait- and-see
Number of stations
7
In May 2015, Austria launched a DAB+ trial with
14 radio stations, including nine digital-only
services. The broadcasters involved in the trial
collaborate through the trade body
Digitalradio Österreich, which promotes radio
on new platforms. Devices are already
available in the main consumer electronics
shops.
Neither of the two nationwide players, public
ORF and commercial Kronehit, are involved, as
they would need specific incentives to
participate, such as the possibility to launch
new services. The network operator ORS, a
subsidiary of ORF, operates the network.
The regulator KommAustria is expected to
launch a call for tenders during the first half of
2017 at the latest in order to launch regular
services in 2018.
Public and commercial broadcasters agreed in
spring 2011 on a four-tier strategy for migration
from analogue to digital radio: broadcast via
DAB+, hybrid radio, online radio player –
MaRadio.be, launched in 2014– and radio on
TV. However, the official launch has been
postponed until an agreement with the
government about the funding of the roll-out is
reached.
Meanwhile, public broadcaster RTBF is
simulcasting its five analogue stations in DAB
and three in DAB+, while also carrying two
public channels from the German-speaking
public broadcaster BRF. RTBF is also very
active in testing new features such as
slideshows, RadioDNS and TPEG. In addition, it
offers a portfolio of 11 Internet-only services,
including seven brand extensions of its pop
and rock music station Classic 21.
Hungary has been broadcasting a DAB+ trial
since 2009. Three transmitters cover 30% of
the population in the metropolitan area of
Budapest. The services available include seven
simulcast services from both public and
commercial broadcasters.
Although all the regulation is in place, the
terms of the multiplex licence, valid until 2020,
have not been accomplished. The licence
holder Antenna Hungária, owned by the
Hungarian state, is working on the redesign of
the network. Other stakeholders would also be
willing to engage with digital radio: public
broadcaster MTVA would like to expand its
current offer of stations with at least seven
new digital services while the regulator NMHH
is keen to introduce the necessary changes to
support a successful roll-out of the service.
Number of stations
14 Number of stations
7 Standard Standard Standard
Launch date
2006 wait-
and-see
Launch date
2004 wait-
and-see
Launch date
2015 wait-
and-see
28
IRELAND
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
ROMANIA SLOVAKIA
Number of stations
4
In September 2015, a 4-year DRM trial ended.
Three months later, DAB+ services started
from one transmitter in Bratislava offering four
stations from public broadcaster RTVS. These
include three simulcasts and Rádio Junior, a
station targeting children exclusively available
online until then.
This portfolio of stations is foreseen to be
extended to the 11 services offered by RTVS,
including two additional Internet-only services,
the classical music service Rádio Klasika and
the cultural and educational channel Rádio
Litera. During 2016, two new transmitters in
Košice and Banská Bystrica are expected to be
switched on.
This trial is an initiative of network operator
Towercom. RTVS is willing to launch regular
DAB+ services, however would need additional
financial resources to sustain the transmission.
For this reason it is looking for new sources of
funding such as European funds.
The main highlight of the year happened in
April when a shared Irish radio player was
launched as a mobile app, including 43
services from public broadcaster RTÉ and from
the commercial broadcasters associated to
Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.
Regarding DAB, the situation has remained the
same in the last years. There is currently one
national multiplex operated by RTÉ that
includes its five analogue stations and four
digital-only services: one children’s channel
and three music stations (classic hits,
electronic and rock/indie). A commercial
regional multiplex is also running, including a
simulcast and four digital-only stations.
Although the official standard is DAB, in both
multiplexes some of the services are also
transmitted in DAB+. However, further
developments of digital terrestrial radio in the
country will need an appropriate regulatory
framework and a set of incentives for
commercial broadcasters to join in.
There are currently six stations from public
broadcaster ROR broadcasting in DAB,
including the digital-only Radio 3Net.
In January 2016, the regulator ANCOM
launched a public consultation on the
allocation of digital terrestrial broadcasting
multiplexes, asking interested parties what
spectrum bands could be subject to tender,
the number and type of multiplexes and
obligations that should be imposed. The Band
III is still occupied by analogue television
channels that did not switch-off in June 2015
as planned.
Additionally, Romania is the only European
country where an HD Radio service, using the
American standard IBOC, is currently available.
Four services from the main commercial group,
Radio Holding (16.2% market share in 2014),
can be received in 10 Romanian cities with
some of the few available devices already on
the market from an entry price of EUR 40.
However, given the steps taken by the
regulator, the isolation of HD services in
Europe and the struggles of this standard in its
home market in the US, it is quite unlikely that
it can succeed.
Number of stations
14 Number of stations
6 Standard Standard Standard
Launch date
2000 wait-
and-see
Launch date
1995 wait-
and-see
Launch date
2015 wait-
and-see
29
SPAIN
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
SWEDEN TURKEY
… In June 2015, the Ministry of Culture said no to
the digital radio switchover on the terms
proposed by the Digital Radio Industry
Coordinator named by the government. This
followed a negative review from the National
Audit Office about the use of public funds for
the switchover and the opposition of third-
parties, such as the Ministry of Defence, which
wanted to keep some of the digital radio
frequencies.
The roadmap of the Digital Radio Industry
Coordinator even included four criteria for the
switchover and a tentative date in 2022-2024.
This roadmap was supported by the public
broadcaster Sveriges Radio (SR) and
commercial broadcasters Bauer and MTG.
These two broadcasters hold 21 of the 25
DAB+ licences awarded in October 2014 until
2022. Given the situation, these companies
have been granted a nine-month extension of
their launch date until July 2016, however it is
quite unlikely that they launch amidst such
uncertain conditions. For the moment, DAB
services from SR covering 35% of the country
and DAB+ tests from SR and the two main
commercial broadcasters in the local multiplex
in Stockholm are available.
After a trial from 2002 to 2008, public
broadcaster TRT relaunched DAB with its five
main radio stations in November 2015 in
Ankara and in December 2015 in Istanbul. This
followed several discussions and public
debates held in the country during the last two
years, encouraged by the regulator RTÜK.
A DAB+ trial led by TRT is expected later,
probably in 2016, in six cities (Ankara, Antalya,
Bursa, Istanbul, Izmir and Kocaeli), backed by
the regulator. Turkey’s analogue dial is already
crowded with no remaining FM frequencies in
the main urban areas.
Spain is one of the most analogue markets in
Europe. In 2015, daily reach of Internet radio
was just 3.7% and radio through television
devices was at 1%, both flat from the previous
year.
DAB is currently in a stand-by situation. There
are only two transmitters in Madrid and
Barcelona, covering 20% of the population and
offering just one service that is not available on
FM: the international channel of the public
broadcaster RTVE. Since December 2014,
Radio María is also broadcasting in DAB+,
which was officially adopted as the standard
for the Spanish market a few years ago, but
with no effect until now.
The three main commercial groups, which
gathered two thirds of the audience in 2014,
are not willing to foster digital radio, as their
incumbent position could be threatened by
new entrants that have nearly no possibilities
for growth in an extremely crowded FM dial.
One of them, COPE, launched hybrid radio
services in 2015. Also RTVE’s strategy focuses
on hybrid services, including high-quality
streams of its music stations in the DTT
network.
Number of stations
5 Number of stations
18 Number of stations
17 Standard Standard Standard
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Digital Radio Monitor 2016 is the first of a yearly report that
the Media Intelligence Service of the EBU plans to publish to
support the EBU’s Digital Radio Initiative. Built upon the
experience of the Digital Radio Toolkit, which examined the key
success factors for radio digitization, the Digital Radio Monitor
highlights the main achievements of the previous year for
digital radio. It offers a progress report of the roll-out of digital
radio in Europe, with a strong focus on broadcast radio.
By doing this, it helps EBU Members and other stakeholders to
plan their digital radio strategies and supports their advocacy
initiatives. Ultimately, it supports their efforts bring terrestrial
digital radio to their territories, providing them with the data,
the latest developments, a selection of best practices and a
market analysis.
METHODOLOGY
This project relies on a systematic collection from different
sources, including:
• Official statistics from broadcasters, governments,
regulatory authorities and industry trade bodies, both
national and international (e.g. WorldDAB, DRM
Consortium).
• Information and analysis from the trade press and experts.
• Personal communications from industry stakeholders such
as EBU Members, regulatory authorities, network
operators, manufacturers and industry trade bodies.
For the benefit of readers, sources have not been included
systematically but are available for any EBU Member on
request.
All the insights provided have been analysed according to the
best data and information available at the moment the report
was written (January 2016). What appears in the report is a
summary of key developments.
For details of sources and additional data and explanations
please contact the Media Intelligence Service ([email protected]).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio Monitor 2016 30
FOCUS
PSM AND DIGITAL RADIO
PSM AND DIGITAL RADIO
JANUARY 2016
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS
IN EUROPE ARE OFFERING
313 DIGITAL RADIO SERVICES
IN 20 MARKETS
137 DAB services in 10 markets
195 DAB+ services in 15 markets
31
JANUARY 2016
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS
IN EUROPE ARE OFFERING
74 DIGITAL-ONLY SERVICES
IN 15 MARKETS
25 DAB-only services in 9 markets
54 DAB+-only services in 9 markets
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
PSM AND DIGITAL RADIO
COLLABORATION
Collaboration with commercial partners is smooth
in Belgium French, Norway, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom and, paradoxically, in Sweden.
FRONTRUNNERS
Public radios are the only broadcasters of the
regular offer in Poland and of the trials in
Romania, Slovakia and Turkey.
32
LEADERS
Public radios are leading the roll-out of
digital radio in leading markets such as
Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom and pushing new and
potential markets such as Belgium, Czech
Republic, Poland and Slovenia.
SHARED PLAYER
A shared radio player with public and
commercial broadcasters is run in Belgium
French, Germany, Ireland and United
Kingdom. Also expected in Austria.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
PSM AND DIGITAL RADIO
33
MUSIC
Music stations focus mostly on
subgenres such as classical
music (6) and jazz (6)
YOUNG ADULTS
Young adults, the group
least served by public
radio, are also the target
of eight of these stations
SENIORS
As target groups, seniors are
becoming much more served thanks
to digital-only stations, with specific
services in Denmark, Netherlands,
Norway and Switzerland
SPECIALIZED SERVICES
Only one of the 75 General interest radio stations
offered by EBU PSM in Europe is digital-only
NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
One-third of the News and current
affairs stations are digital-only (10/31)
SPORT
Three out of the four Sports
stations of public radios in Europe
are digital-only
CHILDREN
All the 10 children’s radio stations of public
radios in Europe are digital-only stations.
Seven are broadcasting in DAB or DAB+.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
WHY THIS PROJECT?
The Digital Radio Monitor 2016 is the first of a yearly report that
the Media Intelligence Service of the EBU plans to publish to
support the EBU’s Digital Radio Initiative. Built upon the
experience of the Digital Radio Toolkit, which examined the key
success factors for radio digitization, the Digital Radio Monitor
highlights the main achievements of the previous year for
digital radio. It offers a progress report of the roll-out of digital
radio in Europe, with a strong focus on broadcast radio.
By doing this, it helps EBU Members and other stakeholders to
plan their digital radio strategies and supports their advocacy
initiatives. Ultimately, it supports their efforts bring terrestrial
digital radio to their territories, providing them with the data,
the latest developments, a selection of best practices and a
market analysis.
METHODOLOGY
This project relies on a systematic collection from different
sources, including:
• Official statistics from broadcasters, governments,
regulatory authorities and industry trade bodies, both
national and international (e.g. WorldDAB, DRM
Consortium).
• Information and analysis from the trade press and experts.
• Personal communications from industry stakeholders such
as EBU Members, regulatory authorities, network
operators, manufacturers and industry trade bodies.
For the benefit of readers, sources have not been included
systematically but are available for any EBU Member on
request.
All the insights provided have been analysed according to the
best data and information available at the moment the report
was written (January 2016). What appears in the report is a
summary of key developments.
For details of sources and additional data and explanations
please contact the Media Intelligence Service ([email protected]).
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio Monitor 2016 34
WHAT’S NEXT?
TRENDS AND THREATS
WHAT’S NEXT: TRENDS
LOCAL DIGITAL RADIO WILL EXPAND
The 2015 focus on regional and local services will
not be shifted in 2016. New local services will be
switched on in Italy, Norway, Switzerland and
the UK, and France will award its first local
licences for DAB+. Regional services will also
expand in several other countries.
35
VOLUNTARY SWITCHOVER
The need to renew transmission
infrastructure or to save costs, or simply the
will to push digital radio forward might lead
to more examples of switchover, both at
station or at programme level, as
successfully experienced in Germany,
Netherlands, Norway and Denmark.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
RADIO BECOMES SMARTER
Continuous pressure on manufacturers and
the development of the digital radio market as
a whole may eventually lead to digital radio
tuners and hybrid radio solutions in new
devices, notably smartphones and car audio
systems.
WHAT’S NEXT: TRENDS
MORE DIGITAL CARS
There are already three markets (Norway,
Switzerland and the UK) where the majority of
new cars come with digital radio as standard. The
steady growth of this feature in a major market
such as Germany –and Italy– could have a
dramatic effect in the commitment of car
manufacturers in these and other markets.
36
RISE IN DIGITAL IN-CAR LISTENING
The increasing number of new cars fitted with
DAB, along with easier and cheaper aftermarket
solutions will push up the penetration of in-car
digital radio. In addition, new TPEG and other
traffic-related services will encourage in-car
listeners to switch from analogue to digital. As a
result, digital in-car listening might accelerate its
penetration in the most advanced markets.
Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
A MORE EUROPEAN APPROACH
Despite the difficulties in including digital
radio in the EU’s Digital Single Market
package, more coordination among
national digital radio trade bodies and the
increasing European dimension of the DAB
phenomenon for device manufacturers and
the car industry will help to generate
synergies.
WHAT’S NEXT: THREATS
37 Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
DIMINISHED ROLE FOR PUBLIC RADIOS
Growing pressure on funding of public
broadcasters (UK) and their instability
(Poland) might have a negative effect on
their involvement and leadership in the roll-
out of digital radio. LACK OF POLITICAL INITIATIVE
Even when collaboration among
stakeholders is in place, the lack of
political initiative to deploy digital radio
may also delay or halt the process, as
seen in Sweden and the French-speaking
part of Belgium.
INSUFFICIENT COLLABORATION
This risks slowing down the roll-out in several
markets (Austria, Poland). This is especially
true for commercial broadcasters, for which
attractive incentives need to be found.
DIGITAL RADIO TOOLKIT
A guide on how to succeed in the
switchover process to digital
terrestrial radio:
www3.ebu.ch/drt.html
(Open access)
MEDIA INTELLIGENCE PORTAL
Find further radio research:
www.ebu.ch/mis (Members-only)
This report has been produced by the Media Intelligence Service (MIS) at the European
Broadcasting Union.
The EBU’s Media Intelligence Service provides Member broadcasting organizations with the
latest market data, research and analysis needed to plan their future strategies and stay ahead of
the game.
Our experts cover a broad range of topics, including TV and radio trends, new media
developments, market structure and concentration, funding and public policy issues.
Contact
www.ebu.ch/mis
This publication is available to download at: www3.ebu.ch/publications
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that the EBU is not liable for any errors or inaccuracies in data provided by third parties.
PUBLICATION:
February 2016
DISTRIBUTION:
This publication is intended for public distribution. The information may be freely quoted if the source is
clearly stated.
EBU Media Intelligence Service – Digital Radio 2016
MEDIA INTELLIGENCE SERVICE